Luminaire housing

ABSTRACT

A colonial styled outdoor post top luminaire assembly including a light source housing consisting of a bottom member, a cover and an intermediate light-transmitting portion. The lighttransmitting portion comprises four light-transmitting panels removably mounted in a supporting frame to form a four-sided inverted frustopyramidical light-transmitting area. The cover is hingedly fastened to the frame and releasably fastened thereto by sliding resilient latch means.

United States Patent James R. Burton Franklin, Wis.

June 27, 1968 Feb. 2, 1971 McGraw-Edison Company Milwaukee, Wis.

a corporation of Delaware inventor Appl; No Filed Patented AssigneeLUMINAIRE HOUSING 5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl a 240/11.2, 240/11.4, 240/25, 240/106, 292/87, 292/147 Int. ClF215 1/10, EOSC 19/06 Field 01' Search 292/91, 147, 87, 88, 89(inquired); 240/1 1.2, 11.4, 25, 84,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,496,822 6/1924 Moore292/147 1,503,187 7/1924 Fitchett". 292/87(X) 1,791,674 2/1931King..,........ 240/25 2,358,607 9/1944 Tinnerman. 292/87 3,387,1266/1968 Lim 240/25 Primary Examiner-John M. Horan AssistantExaminerRobert P. Greiner AtlorneyCharles A. Prudell ABSTRACT: Acolonial styled outdoor post top luminaire assembly including a lightsource housing consisting of a bottom member, a cover and anintermediate light-transmitting portion. The light-transmitting portioncomprises four light-transmitting panels removably mounted in asupporting frame to form a four-sided inverted frustopyramidicallight-transmitting area. The cover is hingedly fastened to the frame andreleasably fastened thereto by sliding resilient latch means.

PATENTED FEB 219m SHEEI 2 or 2 fizflemior gm 2213mm 2% fmwiw jii'orney lLUMINAlREI-IOUSING BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION This invention relates tocolonial styled luminaire assemblies of a size and type suitablefor-outdoor areas such as streets or parking areas. v

Colonial styled luminaires of the aforedescribed typeare currentlymeeting with increased favor, and the production of such luminaires isbecoming an increasingly competitive business. Luminaire assemblies ofthis type must not only be effi- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The objects ofthe invention are accomplished by providing in a luminaire assemblyhousing means for a light source comprising an open-toppedlight-transmitting enclosure having an upper supporting peripheral rim.A cover is hingedly attached to the rim top to provide access to theinterior of the light source housing. Simple improved sliding latchmeans are provided for releasably fastening the cover to the rim.

The light-transmitting enclosure comprises a plurality oflight-transmitting panels supported by a framework portion of thehousing. The framework includes a base portion of the aforementionedrim. The base portion is provided with means for engaging the lower edgeof the light-transmitting panel means, and resilient clip means areprovided on the rim for releasably engaging the upper edge of thelight-transmitting panel means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an elevational view of anoutdoor luminaire assembly incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an. enlarged fragmentary top view of the luminaire assembly ofFIG. 1 with the cover in an open position.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a portion of the luminaire assembly shown inFIG. 1. 7

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3. FIG.5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, FIG.1 shows a colonial style outdoor luminaire 2 adapted to be mounted ontop of a tubular supporting pole 3. The luminaire 2 includes alightsource enclosure portion 4 for enclosing a light source 5 which maypreferably be a mercury vapor arc discharge lamp. Luminaire 2 furtherincludes a base 6, a cover 7 and a a cupola 8 which is mounted on top ofcover 7. Cupola 8 may serve to enclose a photoelectric control (notshown) and is styled to resemble the chimney formerly required on theold candle and gas lights.

Base member 6 includes an upper portion which may support the socket 11for lamp 5 and the ballast power supply 12 for lamp 5. Such ballasts andsockets are of conventional construction, and the details of theirconstruction form no part of the present invention. Base member 6 alsoincludes a collar 13 which fits over the end of pole 3 and may befastened thereto by suitable means such as a set screw (not shown). Apair of opposite radially extending'ladder supports 14 are formedintegrally with collar 13.

Light enclosure 4 comprises four light-transmitting refrac- .tor panels17 mounted within a framework comprising an upper rim 18 supported byfour corner posts 19 which are, in turn, supported by base 6. Refractorsare preferably molded of transparent plastic. Each of comer posts 19consists of an outer angle iron 20 and an inner tubular member 21, bestshown in FIG. 2. The ends of angle irons 20 fit into respectiveconforming recesses formed in base 6 and rim 18. Angle irons -20'areheld in place by compressive forces applied by tubes 21. The lower endsof tubes 21 are threaded into gussets 22 which extend inwardly from theinner four corners of upper portion 10 of base 6. The open interiors oftubes 21 extend through gussets 22 so that electrical wires 23 may beplaced through any one of tubes 21 to provide connection to thephotocontrol which may be housed within cupola 8. The threaded upperends of tubes 21 extend through apertures in tabs 24 which extendinwardly from the four comers of rim l8. Nuts 25 are tightly turned onthe upper ends of tubes 21 to hold the framework of enclosure 4together. Cover 7 is hingedly attached to one side of rim 18 by a pairof hinges 29, as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 provides a sectional view takenthrough one of hinges 29 to show the detailed construction thereof.Stainless steel rolled spring pins 30 are pressed endwise into theapertures formed between lugs 31 formed in rim 18 and extend from rim I8loosely into'apertures in lugs 32 formed in cover 7.

Refractors 17 are held in place by means engaging the lower and upperedges thereof. As shown in FIG. 7, a lip 34 extends along the upper edgeof base 6 on each of the four sides thereof. At the midpoint of each ofthe four sides of base 6 a protuberance 34 extends upwardly from theupper surface thereof, spaced from lip 34 at a distance sufficient toform a groove 36 to accommodate a lip 37 formed along the lower edge ofeach of refractors 17. The lower edges of refractors 17, therefore, areconstrained against lateral movement, but refractors 17 may be liftedout of place for disassembly.

The upper edges of refractors 17 are held in place by spring clips 40.Two spring clips 40 are provided for each refractor 17. The constructionand operation of each spring clip is the same. FIG. 6 best illustrateshow the upper edge of refractor 17 rests against 21 depending lip formedon the inner edge of rim 18. The upper edges of refractors 17 areconstrained against upward or inward movement by the engagement ofspring clips 40 with the upper edges of refractors 17 and with the innersurfaces of lugs 43 formed integrally with refractors 17 and extendingfrom the upper edges thereof. Two lugs 43 are associated with each ofspring clips 40.

Each of spring clips 40 is of a generally T-shaped configurationcomprising a leg 44 and laterally extending arms 45. An upwardly benttab portion 46 is formed on the inner edge of spring clip 40 tofacilitate the manipulation thereof. With reference to FIG. 6 inparticular, the outer end of leg 44 is fastened to rim 18 by a rivet 48which is formed integrally with rim 18. A pair of protuberances 49extend upwardly on either side of leg 44 to prevent the rotation ofspring clip 40 about rivet 48.

A pair of tabs 50 extend upwardly from the edges of arms 45 which facelugs 43 to provide an increased bearing area against the inner sides oflugs 43.

The leg 44 of each of spring clips 40 extends laterally .inwardlybetween the associated pair of lugs 44, and the resilience of springclips 40 biases the tabs 50 into tight engagement with the innersurfaces of lugs 43. Spring clips 40 also resiliently bear against theupper edges of refractors 17, as shown in FIG. 6. It can be seen thenthat spring slips may be disengaged from the upper edges of refractors17 by lifting force applied to tabs 46. As arms 45 clear the upper endsof lugs 43, the upper edges of refractors 17 become free to moveinwardly. As the upper edges of refractors 17 are moved inwardly andclear the inner ends of spring clips 40, refractors 17 may be lifted andremoved from the assembly since lips 37, formed on the lower edges ofrefractors 17, are free to be lifted from grooves 36.

Refractor 17 may be easily replacedby first inserting lip 37 into groove36. Pressure is then applied outwardly on refractor 17, and the upperedges of lugs 43 engage the sloping lip 43 on spring clip 40. Springclip 40 is thereby cammed upwardly, and lugs 43 will move under arms 45.As refractor 17 moves to its assembled position, lugs 43 will clear arms45, and spring clip 40 will snap downwardly to thereby securely latchrefractor 17 in place. The cover 7, which is hingedly mounted to oneside of rim 18, is securely fastened in its closed position by a pair ofsliding latches 60, the construction of which is most clearlyillustrated in FIGS. 4 and 3. Headed pin means is provided comprising around-headed screw 61, which is turned tightly into an aperture in cover7. Headed screw 61 is of such a length that its head is a substantialdistance below the lower surface of rim 18 when cover 7 is in its fullyclosed position. Apertures 62 are provided in rim 18 to permit thepassage of the heads of screws 61 through rim 18. As shown in H0. 4,when cover 7 is locked in its fully closed position, the head of screw61 is engaged by a pair of flexible legs 63 which straddle the shank ofscrew 61. Legs 63 extend from the end of a sliding spring metal latchmember 64. A manually engageable tab 65 depends from the opposite end ofslide 64. Tab 65 is curved slightly to increase its resistance tobending. Slide 64 is slideably retained on the lower surface of rim 18by a shoulder rivet 66 which passes through a slot 67 formed in slide64. Rotation of slide 64 about screw 66 is prevented by its engagementwith a wall 68 which depends from the lower surface of rim 18 and isarranged generally parallel to the direction of movement of slide 64. Afelt washer 69 surrounds screws 61 above rim 18 to prevent entry ofinsects through aperture 62.

When slide 64 is moved into engagement with headed screw 61, the ends oflegs 63 engage a ramp portion 70 formed on the lower surface of rim 18adjacent aperture 62. As slide'64 is pressed into its final position,the legs 63 of slide 64 are bent downwardly to resiliently and firmlyengage the head of screw 61. This bending of legs 63 serves to tightlyfasten cover 7 in place, to increase the frictional resistance ofmovement of slide 64 to an unlatch position and to press cover 7 tightlyagainst the upper edge 72 of rim 18 to prevent entry of insectstherebetween.

While the embodiment herebefore described is effective to accomplish thestated objects, it is not intended that the invention be limited to thedisclosed embodiment since it is adaptable to modification withoutdeparting from the scope of the appended claims.

lclaim:

1. An outdoor luminaire comprising:

a light source;

housing means for said light source comprising an opentopped lowerportion having sidewalls including lighttransmitting means;

means for supporting said light-transmitting means including upper rimmeans;

a cover hingedly attached to a first side of said upper rim means;

means for releasably fastening said cover to said upper rim means in aclosed position comprising headed pin means attached to said cover anddepending downwardly therefrom;

An aperture in said rim means for receiving said pin means from above,whereby the head of said headed pin is positioned below said rim meanswhen said cover is in said closed position;

latch means slideably mounted on said lower surface of said upper rimmeans and comprising a forked end having two flexible legs for beingmoved to a position straddling said pin to an engaged position betweensaid head and the lower surface of said upper rim means to preventwithdrawal of said pin to thereby fasten said cover to said upper rimmeans; and

ramp means formed on the lower surface of said rim means which is engaed by the ends of said le 5 on said latch means as said atch means ISmoved to i s fully engaged position, said ramp means moving said ends ina direction downwardly transverse to the direction of movement of saidlatch means for resiliently forcing said legs against said head tothereby cause said latch means to tightly engage said head and toincrease the frictional resistance of movement of said latch means to anunlatch position.

2. An outdoor luminaire assembly comprising:

a light source;

a housing for said light source comprising at least onelighttransmitting panel arranged on a side of said housing, and a framefor supporting said panel comprising a bottom member and an upper rimportion;

means formed in said bottom member for receiving the lower edge of saidpanel to thereby support said panel;

clip means for engaging the upper edge of said panel when said 'panel isassembled in said housing against the inner surface of said framecomprising a resilient member mounted on said upper rim portion andextending inwardly into said housing over the upper edge of said panel,said member having a tab portion located generally inwardly of saidpanel; and

lug means extending upwardly from said panel in a position to engage thetab portion of said resilient member on the inner side of said panel tothereby hold said upper edge of said panel against inward movement.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 in which:

said means formed in said bottom member for receiving the lower edge ofsaid panel comprises a groove formed in said bottom member; and

said panel further comprises a lip formed on the lower edge of saidpanel for engaging said groove.

4. An outdoor luminaire assembly comprising:

a light source; 7

a housing for said light source comprising a light-transmitting panel ona side of said housing and a frame for supporting said panel having abottom member and an upper rim portion, said panel comprising a pair oflugs extending from the top edge of said panel;

means formed in said bottom member for receiving the lower edge of saidpanel to thereby support said panel;

clip means for engaging the upper edge of said panel comprising aT-shaped resilient member having a leg element and two arms extendingoppositely from a first end of said leg element;

said leg element being attached to said frame and at its second end andextending over the upper edge of said panel;

said arms engaging the side of said lugs opposite to the frame; and

said clip means being resiliently liftable at the end of said clipadjacent said arms to release said arms from engagement with said lugs.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 together with:

an upwardly slanted cam member extending from said first end;

whereby said clip means may be lifted over said upper edge of said panelwhen said panel is pressed into position from the end of said clip meansopposite said frame.

1. An outdoor luminaire comprising: a light source; housing means forsaid light source comprising an open-topped lower portion havingsidewalls including light-transmitting means; means for supporting saidlight-transmitting means including upper rim means; a cover hingedlyaTtached to a first side of said upper rim means; means for releasablyfastening said cover to said upper rim means in a closed positioncomprising headed pin means attached to said cover and dependingdownwardly therefrom; An aperture in said rim means for receiving saidpin means from above, whereby the head of said headed pin is positionedbelow said rim means when said cover is in said closed position; latchmeans slideably mounted on said lower surface of said upper rim meansand comprising a forked end having two flexible legs for being moved toa position straddling said pin to an engaged position between said headand the lower surface of said upper rim means to prevent withdrawal ofsaid pin to thereby fasten said cover to said upper rim means; and rampmeans formed on the lower surface of said rim means which is engaged bythe ends of said legs on said latch means as said latch means is movedto its fully engaged position, said ramp means moving said ends in adirection downwardly transverse to the direction of movement of saidlatch means for resiliently forcing said legs against said head tothereby cause said latch means to tightly engage said head and toincrease the frictional resistance of movement of said latch means to anunlatch position.
 2. An outdoor luminaire assembly comprising: a lightsource; a housing for said light source comprising at least onelight-transmitting panel arranged on a side of said housing, and a framefor supporting said panel comprising a bottom member and an upper rimportion; means formed in said bottom member for receiving the lower edgeof said panel to thereby support said panel; clip means for engaging theupper edge of said panel when said panel is assembled in said housingagainst the inner surface of said frame comprising a resilient membermounted on said upper rim portion and extending inwardly into saidhousing over the upper edge of said panel, said member having a tabportion located generally inwardly of said panel; and lug meansextending upwardly from said panel in a position to engage the tabportion of said resilient member on the inner side of said panel tothereby hold said upper edge of said panel against inward movement. 3.The invention as defined in claim 2 in which: said means formed in saidbottom member for receiving the lower edge of said panel comprises agroove formed in said bottom member; and said panel further comprises alip formed on the lower edge of said panel for engaging said groove. 4.An outdoor luminaire assembly comprising: a light source; a housing forsaid light source comprising a light-transmitting panel on a side ofsaid housing and a frame for supporting said panel having a bottommember and an upper rim portion, said panel comprising a pair of lugsextending from the top edge of said panel; means formed in said bottommember for receiving the lower edge of said panel to thereby supportsaid panel; clip means for engaging the upper edge of said panelcomprising a T-shaped resilient member having a leg element and two armsextending oppositely from a first end of said leg element; said legelement being attached to said frame and at its second end and extendingover the upper edge of said panel; said arms engaging the side of saidlugs opposite to the frame; and said clip means being resilientlyliftable at the end of said clip adjacent said arms to release said armsfrom engagement with said lugs.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 4together with: an upwardly slanted cam member extending from said firstend; whereby said clip means may be lifted over said upper edge of saidpanel when said panel is pressed into position from the end of said clipmeans opposite said frame.